The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-01-06

MAY CAMERON.
Fair as lily, graceful as gazclle.
Who is she? would give thousand
dollars if | might but paint that
facet
The words were spoken hurriedly,
and somewhat too loudly for the time
and place.
Many bystanders heard them, and
looked at the speaker, the lady, then at
each other, and smiled.
But the lady herself-a young, slight
girl, with large blue eyes, pale, golden
hair, and face like the picture of a
saint, SO fair and pure it seemed-held
on her way, leaning on her escort's J
arm, without change of expression
or even startled sidelong glance, to
show that the artists impetuons wish
had reached her ear.
Calmly she sat in her box at the
concert that evening. with her blue
eyes fixed upon the stage. Many an
opera glass was turned upon her from
below, and in secluded corner of the
stalls sat Gervase Livingstone. the
artist, gazing at her, with his heart
and soul in his large, dark, passionate
eyes.
'.Who can she bc?' he whispered to
an intimate friend.
Il do not know. The face is new
one, was the low reply.
"A new one! 1t looks as If it was but
just created-as if those eyes had never
looked upon sinful world!'' raved the
artist. "Years ago, when was school
boy in the country, ! knew child with
a face almost as pure and sweet. She
died, as earthly angels always do. Yet.
had she lived, she would have been like
that girl. Poor little Mayr'
Leaning his head upon his hand, the
artist lost himself in dream of his
boyhood's love. When he looked up
again the concert was drawing to a
close. and the box was empty-the di-
vinity had gone.
Hurrying from the house, he in
quired right and left among the attend
ants ut the door; and finally. by gift
Of money, SO refreshed the memory of
one that he said that he had seen the
young lady drive off in Il private car
riage before the concert was over, with
"a gentleman as might be her father,
sir, and they went to the Everett
House.
To the Everett House followed the
cnamorcd artist, only to be disappoint-
ell. The servant whom he feed liberal
" assured him that no such Young lady
was stopping there. Some wild im-
pulse, for which he could scarcely ac-
count, led the artist to examine the
hotel register. He looked for the
the name Of MAY Cameron'-it was
the name of his earliest lovc-and it
was not there.
Meanwhile the fair object OF his
search was speeding from the city as
fast as the midnight train could carry
her toward Boston. Although the hour
was SO late, she was wakeful, and
clasped her hands over her eyes as she
rested her head on the pillow. in a vain
attempt to shut out from mind and
memory the picture Of Il haunting face.
HE did not recognize me- she
thought with sigh, ..and yet knew
him in spite Of the change-in spite Of
the added height, the altered face. the
dark moustache-I knew him at the
moment when his eyes met mine. as We
entered at the door,"
And then she blushed at the memory
of the words he had uttered.
pauline said she, softly.
The second occupant Of the ..section'
stirred on her couch, and, answered,
drowsily:
What is it, May?"
..Are you asleep?"
What question? No, not now,''
replied Pauline, sitting groan.
What troubles you, my May of Mays?
You generally drop asleep the instant
your pretty head touches the pillow. /"
"But not tonight, Pauline. l can
not sleep. have been thinking of all
you told me about
"About Gervase Livingstone?
asked Pauline finishing the sentence.
"Hush! Speak lower, Pauline.
there are SO many people near. Yes,
am troubled-deeply troubled bv what
you say Of him.
1T is true, May
.Who told you, Paulinc?''
My brother, in the first instance.
He knows him wells often at his
rooms-and regrets his intemperance
more than any Of the rest Of his friends,
l think
..Does your brother think-does he
consider him entirely past reform?'
asked May, with u trembling voice.
Hearing it and the suppressed sob that
followed thequestion, Pauline Danforth,
who was kind-hearted little city belle,
came out of her nest and sat down be-
side her friend.
..Dear May. my brother James has
often said that if Livingstone had a
Deason-a motiye-for reforming. his
reform would be a settled thing
..What motive p
II explain myself bunglingly, fear.
/ r. n a Y